Let'sGoZips94

That 8-3 record looks awfully familiar. 8 wins against average/sub-par schools; 3 losses against "the names". Don't miss it.

I strongly disliked soccer until the Caleb Porter years. Akron soccer represents what they call "The Beautiful Game" in its natural beauty. There is a reason that 34-pass build-up on the Stanford goal got so much attention on Twitter; it's rare for American soccer to be played like European soccer (American-style soccer is typically pump and dump like most of college, especially the Big Ten, vs. European which is more Akron-like possession). Hopefully the Rowdies get their act together next year. There was nothing like the Porter years when the Rowdies were at their best - a thousand strong on the hill reciting the goalie's entire life via his social media and giving the opponents overall hell. If you haven't already, you need to watch this video. The Tulsa game in 2010 was probably the epitome of that era atmosphere wise. It was #1 Akron vs. #2 Tulsa, Fox Sports Soccer or Fox Soccer Network (whatever it is called) televised the game nationally. Absolutely bonkers crowd with 1k+ Rowdies on the hill, fireworks prior to the game, etc. Akron won 4-0 I believe. Here are some videos from that game... Overview of "The Pouch" Prior to the Game Zips Official Recap The Sound of the Vuvuzelas I Believe That We Have Won Side note: I think Embick has taken the Akron style of soccer to the next level. I think we shoot more now, while still maintaining the patient attack. Scary to think we might be better style wise now than when we lost (officially) 1 game in 2 seasons (2009-10). I did not know that.

I know peanuts compared to guys like @Zip_ME87 and @fknbuflobo, but having a left footer is huge for a balanced attack. Especially the way Akron plays and builds up their offensive attack, this kid could be a huge component. Anybody else think the ball looked small in the videos? Haha. Might see more and more kids coming to Akron from Medina, too. Their coach is Simon Spelling.

Those poor kids, having football coaches chase them down to offer them $120-160k over 4 years at the age of 17/18. I understand the process can be smothering and annoying, but that's not a good enough reason to hose college programs.

Which is crap. I don't understand this early signing day and why it was implemented. Bowl games are still going on, the Playoffs are yet to occur. It's stupid. Imagine if Lincoln Riley is hired by the Browns?

Any idea what our recruiting budget looked like under Bowden, compared to other schools that recruit locally? I can't imagine it's fiscally responsible for a University with heavy debt to be hitting Florida before every rock/stone/pebble in their hot-bed-of-talent-backyard has been turned over. I'm glad LW and Arth are on the same page with recruiting this area.

Better than both? I don't know, but I'm pretty sure the MAC finished ahead of the A10 last year, although I don't recall if that was KenPom or not.

"Hey mom and dad - I don't want to go to Akron anymore. I want to go to Liberty." "Liberty? What the heck?" "Their new coach is real religious. Jesus Christ is the only one he's ever met that can hold his junk." "Who is their new coach?" "Hugh Freeze."

Something cool? Yeah, sure, maybe in a wannabe-NFL-Draft sorta way - similar to the guest announcer in the 7th round who won a contest. They got Johnny Manziel's CFL teammate to do a low-rate video. Congrats. You are... Can't State. KSUcks.

They already beat St. Bona by 18. The real question is how are their fans coping with their home schedule being St. Francis (PA), Dartmouth, Marist, Le Moyne, and Southern Illinois?

Agreed. Noticed this as well. Very, very classy game from them.

If the opponent didn't keep people away, if the first half didn't chase people away, this halftime show was exactly what we needed to finish the job.

You're relatively new around here and only associated with the Zips (not the Browns, Cavs, Indians that I'm aware of). Being unlucky and a Northeast Ohio sports fan are synonymous. Success is never easy, and typically there a plethora of letdowns; some letdowns even involve inventing new ways to lose.

Tressel and Meyer.

From GoZips.com... What They’re Saying About Tom Arth . . . “I was fortunate to have Tom Arth as a teammate for a few seasons with the Colts as well as an instructor at our passing camp. With his football knowledge and work ethic, it was easy to see that Tom had the makings of a successful head coach. I congratulate Tom and wish him the best at the University of Akron.” Peyton Manning Retired Quarterback Indianapolis Colts | Denver Broncos “I had a chance to see Tom Arth on a daily basis when he was a quarterback with the Colts and have followed his coaching career thereafter. Tom has the unique ability to combine his knowledge of football with his understanding of how to build a winning culture. He possesses all the traits you look for in a leader. This is an exciting time for Akron football.” Tom Telesco General Manager Los Angeles Chargers “Congratulations to the University of Akron, the Akron Athletics Department, and Tom Arth on the recent hiring to lead their football program. Tom is an outstanding person and leader with a track record of success both as a player and a coach. Tom has had a positive impact in all of his stops in developing a winning culture on all levels. The Zips are in good hands with Tom Arth as their head football coach.” Nick Caserio Director of Player Personnel New England Patriots “I’ve watched Tom Arth grow from the good little quarterback out of St. Raphael’s at the youth camps in Cleveland that I would help at, to the successful quarterback at St. Ignatius, John Carroll and Colts, to the fantastic coach he is today. He was a smart kid who learned from the great coaches here in Cleveland. With that background and the facilities he has to work with at the University of Akron, I know he will elevate that football program to championship levels of success. We expect, and we will win, on and off the field.” Bernie Kosar Retired Quarterback Cleveland Browns -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I don't think this hire is anything to scoff at. Those quotes aren't from the St. Ignatius AD or the best man at his wedding (I'm assuming none of these guys were his best man, but for the sake of a cool story, I actually hope I'm wrong). You have an NFL GM, the Director of Player Personnel for arguably the most successful franchise in the history of the NFL, arguably the best QB of all time, and a beloved former Browns QB. I know quotes are simply quotes, but clearly Larry Williams dialed up all of his connections to find what he feels is the right guy. During the presser, Tom had some strong energy. As @NWAkron stated, I can see how he impressed those whom interviewed him. Football is going in the way of young, energetic, inspiring coaches. It really wouldn't surprise me if Larry Williams sat down with John Dorsey at some point to make a quick, yet solid list of qualities to target, because Dorsey is a firm believer in setting the tone in the locker room with the right culture. We'll see what product is put on the field, but you can tell Arth is hungry and will inspire the team he fields. He seems to fit the bill of the new football coaching trend.

I see what you did there... -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Groce's Bobcats were 17-14 heading into the MAC tourney in the '09-10 season (his second year at the helm). That year, they lost to Marshall by 7, Tulsa by 1, Austin Peay by 2, and Robert Morris by 2. They won 4 straight in the MAC tourney, including an OT win against Akron in the title game, then went on to knock off Georgetown in the First Round of the NCAA tournament, beating the Hoyas by 14. All of Akron's losses this season are by 5 or less. Groce builds his squads to compete in March. Every single loss we've had thus far and will have going forward, will prepare us for March. I fully expect the Zips to pick themselves up, brush themselves off, and come out firing tomorrow night in preparation for a big time match-up against Nevada on Saturday. Despite the at-times suffocating negativity on this board (including all sports, not just Men's Basketball), this is a good team. They are young, they have a lot of new faces, and they can be frustrating. But they have the intangibles to be very, very good.

FIFY.

Two interesting comments by Williams so far... - He started his list of qualities with wanting someone who's a strong leader and high energy. - He spoke with Peyton Manning about Arth. I wonder what connections Larry has with the Browns. The first comment sounds like a direct quote from Dorsey. The second makes me wonder if he had a phone call setup by Haslam. Arth is speaking now - carry on.

Men's, I believe.

All of our losses are by 5 pts or less. This team will be fine.

This is a game that makes you better come March. Frustrating, but Groce recognizes the flaws and will address them.

Despite the slow start and frustrating mistakes, we're hanging in nicely.

Let the Arth era of Akron football begin! Let's see what he can do! Any word on if he'll be bringing his JC staff with him? I believe he was putting them in place at UTC, so I would assume they'd follow him to Akron, correct?

Anybody know where to get the half and half jerseys? I want a Zips, Timbers, and Crew jersey all in one - #10 Porter on the back.

As previously stated, it's more important to get this hire right than it is to save a recruiting class that's already going to be behind the 8 ball. Not to mention there is a second signing period in the spring, and plenty of time to pick up the scraps and find some hidden gems/diamonds in the rough.